Monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A master device sends image data transmitted from a monitoring camera to a mobile phone terminal, the mobile phone terminal sends a request signal for starting a call to the monitoring camera when receiving an operation on a predetermined icon displayed on a display/input unit in a state in which the image data is displayed on the display/input unit, and the master device transmits the request signal for starting the call to the monitoring camera from the mobile phone terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a monitoring system which performs datainput and output to and from a camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, as an example of a communication system whichperforms data input and output to and from a camera, there is amonitoring camera system which monitors an intruder who enters a houselot. A monitoring camera system disclosed in Japanese Patent UnexaminedPublication No. 2000-99862 includes a home server which can record videoand sound, an infrared sensor, a video camera, and a microphone. In acase where the infrared sensor detects an intruder, the home serverrecords a video of the intruder and also records sound of the intruderby using the video camera and the microphone.

However, in the above-described patent document, in a case where thesensor detects the intruder, image data indicating a video captured bythe video camera and audio data of sound collected by the microphone arejust recorded by the home server.

A home dweller may recognize the presence of an intruder incircumstances in which the dweller observes the home server at alltimes, but the dweller is not continuously able to recognize theintruder if the dweller is away from a location (for example, a homestudy) where image data or audio data stored in the home server can bechecked. The dweller reproduces the recorded image data or audio dataand thus recognizes the presence of the intruder for the first time. Forthis reason, the dweller cannot converse with the intruder, such asdirectly listening to what is wanted from the intruder. In a case wherethe dweller is out, it is difficult to directly converse with theintruder from a place being visited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the problems of the related art, an object of thepresent invention is to provide a portable terminal and a communicationsystem capable of improving a user's convenience by performing a callbetween a camera and a portable terminal in a case where a target isdetected by a sensor.

According to the present invention, there is provided a monitoringsystem including a sensor; a monitoring camera that includes an imagecapturing unit, and has a call function; a master device thatcommunicates with the monitoring camera, and is connected to a fixedtelephone network so as to perform calls to other fixed telephones; anda mobile phone terminal that includes a display/input unit, performswireless communication with the master device, and is connected to othermobile phones via a mobile phone network, in which, when the sensordetects a target, a detection signal is sent to the master device, inwhich the master device sends a signal for instructing the monitoringcamera registered in correlation with the sensor to transmit image data,in which, when an operation of giving an instruction for displaying animage is received, the mobile phone terminal sends information regardingthe operation to the master device, in which the master device sends theimage data which is transmitted from the monitoring camera, to themobile phone terminal according to the information regarding theoperation, in which the mobile phone terminal sends a request signal forstarting a call to the monitoring camera when receiving an operation ona predetermined icon displayed on the display/input unit in a state inwhich the image data sent from the monitoring camera is displayed on thedisplay/input unit, and in which the master device transmits the requestsignal for starting a call from the mobile phone terminal, to themonitoring camera.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve a user'sconvenience by performing a call between a camera and a portableterminal in a case where a target is detected by a sensor. Consequently,in a case where the present invention is applied to a monitoring camerasystem, a dweller can converse with an intruder, such as directlylistening to what is wanted from the intruder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a monitoringcamera system of the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of amaster device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of aslave device;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of acamera;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of asensor;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of asmartphone;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen of the smartphoneduring activation;

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating transition of a screen of thesmartphone when a volume of a microphone and a speaker is set;

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when the volume of a microphone and a speaker is set;

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when the volume of a microphone and a speaker is set;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a hands-free call is performed;

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a hands-free call is performed;

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a hands-free call is performed;

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a handset call is performed;

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a handset call is performed;

FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when a handset call is performed;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when telephone monitoring is performed;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when telephone monitoring is performed;

FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating transition of the screen of thesmartphone when telephone monitoring is performed;

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of an operation of themonitoring camera system; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the masterdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a description will be made of anembodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “the present embodiment”) of amonitoring camera system related to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of monitoringcamera system 5 of the present embodiment. Monitoring camera system 5 ismainly provided in house 8, and includes master device 10, two slavedevices 20A and 20B, two cameras 30 (specifically, indoor camera 30A andmonitoring camera 30B), various sensors 40 (specifically, human sensors40A and 40B, smoke sensor 40C, and opening/closing sensor 40D),smartphone 50, and wireless router 60. A configuration of monitoringcamera system 5 is only an example and may be modified in variousaspects.

Master device (gateway) 10 is a control device which controls the entireoperation of monitoring camera system 5, and is connected to the slavedevices, the cameras, the sensors, and the like in a communicable mannerby using a communication method such as digital enhanced cordlesstelecommunications (DECT). Master device 10 is connected to the Internet65 (network) via wireless router 60 using a wireless LAN. Master device10 is connected to fixed telephone network 85 in a wired manner and canperform a call to fixed telephone 80. Master device 10 has a function ofcharging slave device 20A which is inserted into insertion port 10 a.

Slave devices 20A and 20B are connected to master device 10 in the DECTcommunication method and can perform a call to master device 10.Particularly, in a case where two slave devices 20A and 20B are notrequired to be differentiated from each other, the slave devices arecollectively referred to as slave device 20.

Various sensors 40 (specifically, human sensors 40A and 40B, smokesensor 40C, and opening/closing sensor 40D) are connected to masterdevice 10 in the DECT communication method. Herein, as sensors,opening/closing sensor 40D which detects opening and closing of awindow, smoke sensor 40C which detects smoke, and human sensors 40A and40B which detect a person with infrared rays are used. Particularly, ina case where the sensors are not required to be differentiated from eachother, the sensors are collectively referred to as sensor 40. As will bedescribed later, infrared sensor 313 (refer to FIG. 4) built into camera30 is also used as a human sensor.

The two cameras (specifically, indoor camera 30A and monitoring camera30B) have a call function and are connected to master device 10 in theDECT communication method. Herein, as cameras, monitoring camera 30Bwhich captures an image of an outdoor environment, and indoor camera 30Awhich captures an image of house 8, are used. Particularly, in a casewhere the cameras are not required to be differentiated from each other,the cameras are collectively referred to as camera 30.

Smartphone 50 is connected to master device 10 via wireless router 60using a wireless LAN, and is connected to mobile phone 70 or othersmartphones via mobile phone network 75 using a communication methodsuch as the third generation (3G) method.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration ofmaster device 10. Master device 10 includes control unit 109, storageunit 103, operation unit 105, and display unit 106. Master device 10receives various input operations and displays information such as animage on display unit 106. Control unit 109 has a call control portion110 and an audio stream processing portion 112 built thereinto, andperforms call control during calling, processing of audio data, and thelike.

Master device 10 includes an image memory control unit 115 and imagememory 116, and stores image data or the like captured by camera 30 inimage memory 116.

Master device 10 includes wireless LAN control unit 121 and wireless LANcommunication I/F unit 122, and transmits and receives image data andaudio data to and from smartphone 50, camera 30, and the like viawireless router 60 connected over a wireless LAN.

Master device 10 includes DECT protocol control unit 108 and DECTwireless I/F unit 107, and performs wireless connection to slave device20, sensor 40, and camera 30 by using a wireless method such as digitalenhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT).

Master device 10 includes audio bus 117, sound input/output control unit104, speaker 129, and microphone 128, and performs input and output ofsound to and from an external device.

Master device 10 includes fixed telephone line I/F unit 101, and canperform a call to external fixed telephone 80 connected to fixedtelephone network 85.

Master device 10 includes slave device/portable terminal charging unit126 and charges slave device 20 or smartphone 50 inserted into insertionport 10 a.

Master device 10 includes USB communication I/F unit 127, and transmitsand receives data to and from an apparatus, a memory, or the like havingan interface of a universal serial bus (USB) standard.

Master device 10 registers various sensors 40 (specifically, humansensors 40A and 40B, smoke sensor 40C, and opening/closing sensor 40D)and the plurality of cameras 30 in storage unit 103 in correlation witheach other. For example, human sensor 40B and monitoring camera 30B areinstalled at close locations outdoors and are thus registered incorrelation with each other. Monitoring camera 30B, as will be describedlater, integrally has infrared sensor 313 (refer to FIG. 4) which is ahuman sensor and is built thereinto, and is thus also registered incorrelation with infrared sensor 313. Human sensor 40A, smoke sensor40C, and opening/closing sensor 40D are all installed inside house 8 andare thus registered in correlation with indoor camera 30A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration ofslave device 20. Slave device 20 includes control unit 247, storage unit242, operation unit 244, and display unit 245. Slave device 20 receivesvarious input operations and displays information such as an image ondisplay unit 245.

Slave device 20 includes DECT protocol control unit 249 and DECTwireless I/F unit 248, and performs wireless connection to master device10, sensor 40, and camera 30 by using a wireless method such as DECT.

Slave device 20 includes audio bus 255, sound input/output control unit243, speaker 252, and microphone 251, and performs input and output ofsound to and from an external device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration ofcamera 30. Indoor camera 30A and monitoring camera 30B as examples ofcameras 30 have substantially the same specification as each other.Camera 30 includes control unit 309, storage unit 303, and operationunit 305. Camera 30 performs an operation related to image capturing andalso receives input operations.

Camera 30 includes DECT protocol control unit 317 and DECT wireless I/Funit 318, and performs wireless connection to master device 10 by usinga wireless method such as DECT.

Camera 30 includes wireless LAN control unit 321 and wireless LANcommunication I/F unit 322, and transmits and receives image data andaudio data to and from master device 10, smartphone 50, and the like viawireless router 60 connected over the wireless LAN.

Camera 30 includes audio bus 307, sound input/output control unit 304,speaker 329, and microphone 328, and performs input and output of soundto and from an external device.

Camera 30 includes image capturing unit 312, image memory control unit316, and image memory 315, and stores image data captured by imagecapturing unit 312 in image memory 315. Image capturing unit 312 has alens and an imaging element (for example, an image sensor such as acharged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS)).

Camera 30 integrally has infrared sensor 313 which is a passive infrared(PIR) sensor as a human sensor built thereinto. Infrared sensor 313detects the presence of a person by detecting a change in heat (infraredrays) generated by the person. Camera 30 includes power source unit 314which is constituted by a commercial AC power source.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration ofsensor 40. Sensor 40 includes control unit 447, storage unit 442, anddisplay lamp 445. Sensor 40 performs a predetermined detectionoperation, such as turning on display lamp 445, in a case of detecting atarget (for example, an intruder which is also the same for thefollowing description).

Sensor 40 includes DECT protocol control unit 449 and DECT wireless I/Funit 448, and performs wireless connection to master device 10 by usinga wireless method such as DECT, and sends sensor detection informationto master device 10 when a target is detected.

Sensor unit 453 differs depending on the kind of sensor 40. For example,in a case of human sensors 40A and 40B, sensor unit 453 is a PIR sensorwhich detects a person through a change in infrared rays. In a case ofopening/closing sensor 40D which detects opening and closing of a windowor the like, sensor unit 453 is a reed switch which switches betweenturned-on and turned-off states due to opening and closing. In a case ofsmoke sensor 40C, sensor unit 453 is a light emitting/receiving unitwhich detects smoke when emitted light is blocked by the smoke.

Rechargeable battery 450 is a battery which can be charged and suppliespower to each unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration ofsmartphone 50. Smartphone 50 includes control unit 506, storage unit504, and display/operation unit (touch panel) 503. Smartphone 50receives various input operations and displays information such as animage on touch panel 503. Monitoring function control portion 514 whichcan set a function of camera 30 is built into control unit 506 as willbe described later. Touch panel 503, which is a display/input unit inwhich a display unit and an operation unit are integrally formed,displays information such as an image or an icon on a screen andreceives a tap operation (or a touch operation) which is performed onthe screen by a user.

Smartphone 50 includes 3G protocol control unit 502 and 3G wireless I/Funit 501, and performs wireless connection to mobile phone 70 or othersmartphones connected to mobile phone network 75, by using a thirdgeneration (3G) wireless communication method.

Smartphone 50 includes audio bus 515, sound input/output control unit505, speaker 513, and microphone 512, and performs input and output ofsound to and from an external device.

Smartphone 50 includes wireless LAN control unit 507 and wireless LANcommunication I/F unit 508, and transmits and receives image data andaudio data to and from master device 10, camera 30, and the like viawireless router 60 connected over the wireless LAN.

Smartphone 50 includes USB communication I/F unit 511, and transmits andreceives data to and from an apparatus, memory, or the like having aninterface of a universal serial bus (USB) standard.

A description will be made of an operation of monitoring camera system 5having the above-described configuration.

First, an operation of smartphone 50 will be described. When a useractivates an application of the monitoring camera installed insmartphone 50, smartphone 50 displays an initial screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the initial screen of smartphone 50during activation. When the application of the monitoring camera isactivated, image (moving image) 55 captured by camera 30 is displayed ata center of the initial screen of touch panel 503. Camera icon 51,speaker icon 52, mute icon 53, and disconnect icon 54 are displayed onthe screen of touch panel 503 so that a tap operation can be performedthereon.

Camera icon 51 is an icon used to instruct camera 30 to start videorecording and to set a function of camera 30.

Speaker icon 52 as mode switching means is an icon used to switch avolume of speaker 513 mounted in smartphone 50 and is in a turned-onstate during the activation. When a tap operation is performed onspeaker icon 52, speaker icon 52 can switch between a turned-on stateand a turned-off state. Herein, speaker icon 52 is displayed green in aturned-on state and is displayed white in a turned-off state.

The turned-on state of speaker icon 52 is a state in which the volume ofspeaker 513 is set to be high and is suitable for typical monitoring ora hands-free call (a speaker phone call). In other words, in a casewhere speaker icon 52 is in the turned-on state, a volume suitable for ahands-free call (speaker phone call) is set in smartphone 50. On theother hand, the turned-off state of speaker icon 52 is a state in whichthe volume of speaker 513 is set to be low as if whispered in a user'sear, and is suitable for sound monitoring or a handset call. In otherwords, in a case where speaker icon 52 is in the turned-off state, thevolume suitable for a handset call is set in smartphone 50.

Mute icon 53 is an icon used to switch turning-on and turning-off ofmicrophone 512 mounted in smartphone 50, and is in a turned-on stateduring activation, that is, in an invalid (silent) state of microphone512. When a tap operation is performed on mute icon 53, mute icon 53 canswitch between a turned-on state and a turned-off state. Herein, in thesame manner as speaker icon 52, mute icon 53 is displayed green in aturned-on state and is displayed white in a turned-off state.

Disconnect icon 54 in which characters “disconnect” are written, is anicon used to disconnect camera 30 and is in a turned-off state duringactivation, that is, in a connection state.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating transition of a screen ofsmartphone 50 when the volumes of microphone 328 and speaker 329 ofcamera 30 are set. When a predetermined operation is performed on thescreen of touch panel 503, selection menus for setting the volume ofmicrophone 328 and speaker 329 of camera 30 are displayed on the screenof touch panel 503.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, “Camera Mic Volume” key 56 displayed as aselection menu is a key for setting the volume of microphone 328.“Camera Speaker Volume” key 57 is a key for setting the volume ofspeaker 329.

When a tap operation is performed on “Camera Mic Volume” key 56, asillustrated in FIG. 8B, the selection menu disappears, and then seek bar58 is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503. When the user movesslider 58 a of seek bar 58 in horizontal directions in the figure, thevolume (microphone sensitivity) of microphone 328 of camera 30 ischanged. If the volume of microphone 328 is determined, and OK button 58b is pressed, the determined volume of microphone 328 is set in camera30.

Similarly, when a tap operation is performed on “Camera Speaker Volume”key 57, as illustrated in FIG. 8C, the selection menu disappears, andthen seek bar 59 is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503. When theuser moves slider 59 a of seek bar 59 in horizontal directions in thefigure, the volume of speaker 329 of camera 30 is changed. If the volumeof speaker 329 is determined, and OK button 59 b is pressed, thedetermined volume of speaker 329 is set in camera 30.

Next, a description will be made of various operation modes usingsmartphone 50.

In the present embodiment, smartphone 50 can be switched to fouroperation modes including a typical monitoring mode, a hands-free callmode, a handset call mode, and a sound monitoring mode. As describedabove, right after the application of the monitoring camera isactivated, smartphone 50 displays the initial screen (refer to FIG. 7)and is in the typical monitoring mode. An operation of activating theapplication corresponds to a monitoring instruction as an operation ofgiving an instruction for image display. In the typical monitoring mode,sound collected by microphone 328 of camera 30 is output from speaker513 of smartphone 50 at a high volume, and microphone 512 of smartphone50 is in an invalid state. In other words, sound of the user is notcollected by microphone 512 of smartphone 50.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating transition of a screen ofsmartphone 50 when a hands-free call is performed. When a tap operationis performed on mute icon 53 in the initial screen of FIG. 7, asillustrated in FIG. 9A, mute icon 53 is turned off, and guidance 61 of“Mute OFF” is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503. Then, if theswitching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, as illustrated in FIG.9B, microphone 512 of smartphone 50 becomes valid, and the smartphone isswitched to the hands-free call mode. In this hands-free call mode,sound collected by microphone 328 of monitoring camera 30B is outputfrom speaker 513 of smartphone 50 at a high volume, and microphone 512of smartphone 50 becomes valid so that a hands-free call can beperformed to monitoring camera 30B.

In the hands-free call mode, when a tap operation is performed on muteicon 53 again, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, mute icon 53 is turned on, andguidance 62 of “Mute ON” is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503.Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, the screenreturns to the initial screen of FIG. 7, microphone 512 of smartphone 50is invalidated, and the smartphone returns to the typical monitoringmode.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating transition of a screen ofsmartphone 50 when a handset call is performed. When a tap operation isperformed on speaker icon 52 in the hands-free call mode illustrated inFIG. 9B, speaker icon 52 is turned off, and guidance 63 of “Speaker OFF”is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503, as illustrated in FIG.10A. Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, asillustrated in FIG. 10B, the smartphone is switched to the handset callmode. In the handset call mode, sound collected by microphone 328 ofmonitoring camera 30B is output from speaker 513 of smartphone 50 at alow volume (a volume at which the sound can be heard when speaker 513 isclose to a user's ear), and microphone 512 of smartphone 50 is stillvalid. Smartphone 50 can perform a handset call to monitoring camera30B.

When a tap operation is performed on speaker icon 52 in the handset callmode, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, speaker icon 52 is turned on, andguidance 64 of “Speaker ON” is displayed on the screen of touch panel503. Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, thescreen returns to the screen illustrated in FIG. 9B, smartphone 50increases the volume of speaker 513 and is switched to the hands-freecall mode.

On the other hand, when a tap operation is performed on mute icon 53 inthe handset call mode illustrated in FIG. 10B, mute icon 53 and speakericon 52 are turned on, and, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, guidance 62 of“Mute ON” is displayed on the screen of touch panel 503. Then, if theswitching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, the screen returns tothe initial screen of FIG. 7, microphone 512 of smartphone 50 isinvalidated, and smartphone 50 returns to the typical monitoring mode.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating transition of a screen ofsmartphone 50 when telephone monitoring is performed. When a tapoperation is performed on speaker icon 52 in the initial screen of FIG.7, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, speaker icon 52 is turned off, andguidance 63 of “Speaker OFF” is displayed on the screen of touch panel503. Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, asillustrated in FIG. 11B, smartphone 50 reduces the volume of speaker 513of smartphone 50 and is switched to the telephone monitoring mode. Inthe telephone monitoring mode, sound collected by microphone 328 ofmonitoring camera 30B is output from speaker 513 of smartphone 50 at alow volume (a volume at which the sound can be heard when speaker 513 isclose to a user's ear), and microphone 512 of smartphone 50 is stillinvalid.

When a tap operation is performed on speaker icon 52 in the telephonemonitoring mode, as illustrated in FIG. 11C, speaker icon 52 is turnedon, and guidance 64 of “Speaker ON” is displayed on the screen of touchpanel 503. Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed,the screen returns to the initial screen of FIG. 7, microphone 512 ofsmartphone 50 is invalidated, and smartphone 50 returns to the typicalmonitoring mode.

On the other hand, when a tap operation is performed on mute icon 53 inthe telephone monitoring mode illustrated in FIG. 11B, mute icon 53 isturned off, and guidance 61 of “Mute OFF” is displayed on the screen oftouch panel 503. Then, if the switching time (here, 0.2 seconds) haselapsed, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, microphone 512 of smartphone 50becomes valid, and the smartphone is switched to the handset call mode.

Next, a description will be made of a flow of an operation of monitoringcamera system 5.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of an operation ofmonitoring camera system 5. Herein, a description will be made of anoperation of monitoring an intruder or the like by using human sensor40B and monitoring camera 30B provided outdoors.

First, if human sensor 40B detects a person present outdoors, adetection signal and sensor detection information are transmitted tomaster device 10 (step S101). If the sensor detection information isreceived from human sensor 40B, master device 10 is wirelessly connectedto smartphone 50 by using the wireless LAN (step S102), and transmitsthe sensor detection information to smartphone 50 when the connectionhas been completed (step S103A).

Master device 10 requests monitoring camera 30B to transmit image/audiodata (step S103B). If the request for transmission of image/audio datais received, monitoring camera 30B is connected to master device 10 byusing the wireless LAN, and transmits image data captured by imagecapturing unit 312 and audio data collected by microphone 328 to masterdevice 10 (step S104).

If a monitoring instruction is received from the user (step S105-1),smartphone 50 requests master device 10 to transmit the image/audio data(step S105-2). In response to the request for transmission of theimage/audio data from smartphone 50, master device 10 transmits theimage data and the audio data which have been transmitted frommonitoring camera 30B, to smartphone 50 (step S106).

Consequently, smartphone 50 displays the initial screen (refer to FIG.7) and enters the typical monitoring mode. If a tap operation isperformed on speaker icon 52 in the typical monitoring mode in which theinitial screen is displayed (step S107A), smartphone 50 is switched tothe sound monitoring mode (step S108).

On the other hand, if a tap operation is performed on mute icon 53 inthe typical monitoring mode in which the initial screen is displayed(step S107B-1), smartphone 50 transmits the operation information tomaster device 10 (step S107B-2).

If the operation information is received, master device 10 requestsmonitoring camera 30B to perform a hands-free call (step S109). If thehands-free call request is received, monitoring camera 30B turns onspeaker 329 and transmits an acknowledgement (ACK) signal to smartphone50 via master device 10 (step S110).

If the ACK signal is received from monitoring camera 30B, smartphone 50is switched to the hands-free call mode and starts performing a call. Inother words, smartphone 50 transmits the audio data for conversation,collected by microphone 512, to master device 10 (step S111). Masterdevice 10 transmits the received audio data for conversation tomonitoring camera 30B (step S112). Monitoring camera 30B outputs theaudio data for conversation received from master device 10, from speaker329 (step S113).

Transmission of audio data for conversation from monitoring camera 30Bto smartphone 50 is performed in a reverse order. In other words,monitoring camera 30B transmits audio data for conversation collected bymicrophone 328 to master device 10 (step S114). Master device 10transmits the received audio data for conversation to smartphone 50(step S115). Smartphone 50 outputs the audio data for conversationreceived from master device 10, from speaker 513 (step S116).

In a case where the smartphone is switched to the sound monitoring modein step S108 and then a tap operation is performed on mute icon 53,smartphone 50 is switched to the handset call mode.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of masterdevice 10. Master device 10 starts the present operation with adetection signal from human sensor 40B as a trigger. First, masterdevice 10 acquires sensor detection information from human sensor 40B(step S1). Master device 10 determines whether or not a request fortransmission of image/audio data has been received from smartphone 50(step S2). If the request has not been received, master device 10finishes the present operation.

On the other hand, if the request for transmission of image/audio datahas been received from smartphone 50, master device 10 transmits imagedata and audio data transmitted from monitoring camera 30B, tosmartphone 50 (step S3).

Master device 10 determines whether or not a request for a hands-freecall or a handset call is made from smartphone 50 (step S4). This callrequest is made by performing a tap operation on mute icon 53 asdescribed above. If there is no request for a call from smartphone 50,master device 10 finishes the present operation.

On the other hand, if there is a call request from smartphone 50, masterdevice 10 relays a call between smartphone 50 and monitoring camera 30B(step S5).

Subsequently, master device 10 determines whether or not an instructionfor ending of the call is given from smartphone 50 (step S6). Theinstruction for ending of the call is given by performing a tapoperation on mute icon 53 or a tap operation on disconnect icon 54 asdescribed above. If the instruction for ending of the call is not given,master device 10 returns to the process in step S5. On the other hand,if the instruction for ending of the call is given, master device 10finishes the present operation. Master device 10 enters a standby stateuntil being activated with a detection signal from sensor 40 as atrigger again.

As mentioned above, in monitoring camera system 5 of the presentembodiment, if human sensor 40B detects an intruder (target), sensordetection information is sent to master device 10. Master device 10transmits the sensor detection information sent from human sensor 40B,to smartphone 50, and also sends a request for transmission ofimage/audio data to monitoring camera 30B which is registered incorrelation with human sensor 40B. If an operation of a monitoringinstruction is received, smartphone 50 sends the operation informationto master device 10. Master device 10 sends the image data transmittedfrom monitoring camera 30B, to smartphone 50, according to the operationinformation. Smartphone 50 displays the image data sent from monitoringcamera 30B on touch panel 503, and sends a request signal for starting acall to monitoring camera 30B when receiving a tap operation on muteicon 53. Master device 10 transmits the request signal for starting acall from smartphone 50, to monitoring camera 30B. A call betweensmartphone 50 and monitoring camera 30B is started.

According to monitoring camera system 5, in a case where an intruder isdetected by human sensor 40B, a call between monitoring camera 30B andsmartphone 50 can be performed, and thus it is possible to improveconvenience. Consequently, a home dweller can converse with theintruder, such as directly listening to what is wanted from theintruder.

In a case where speaker icon 52 is turned on, and a high volume suitablefor a hands-free call is set, smartphone 50 is switched to a hands-freecall mode when receiving a tap operation on mute icon 53. Smartphone 50and monitoring camera 30B enter a voice call state. Consequently,switching to a hands-free call can be easily performed.

In a case where speaker icon 52 is turned off and a low volume (a volumeat which sound can be heard when speaker 513 is close to a user's ear)suitable for a handset call is set, smartphone 50 is switched to ahandset call mode when receiving a tap operation on mute icon 53.Smartphone 50 and monitoring camera 30B enter a voice call state.Consequently, switching to a handset call can be easily performed.

As sensor 40, human sensor 40B may be built into a single casingintegrally with monitoring camera 30B. Infrared sensor 313 which isintegrally built into monitoring camera 30B may be used as a humansensor. Consequently, a camera and a sensor are easily correlated witheach other.

Although the various embodiments have been described with reference tothe drawings, needless to say, the present invention is not limited tosuch embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art canconceive of various modifications or alterations within the scoperecited in the claims, and thus it is understood that they naturallyfall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described present embodiment, a descriptionhas been made of a case where the present invention is applied to amonitoring camera system, but the present invention is not limitedthereto and is applicable to, for example, a communication system inwhich a traveler who possesses a camera converses with a friend or thelike who possesses a portable terminal while viewing an image capturedon a journey or the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system comprising: a sensor; amonitoring camera that includes an image capturing unit, and has a callfunction; a master device that communicates with the monitoring camera,and is connected to a fixed telephone network so as to perform calls toother fixed telephones; and a mobile phone terminal that includes adisplay/input unit, performs wireless communication with the masterdevice, and is connected to other mobile phones via a mobile phonenetwork, wherein, when the sensor detects a person, a detection signalis sent to the master device, wherein the master device sends a signalfor instructing the monitoring camera registered in correlation with thesensor to transmit image data, wherein, when an operation of giving aninstruction for displaying an image is received, the mobile phoneterminal sends information regarding the operation to the master device,wherein the master device sends the image data which is transmitted fromthe monitoring camera, to the mobile phone terminal according to theinformation regarding the operation, wherein the mobile phone terminalsends a request signal for starting a call to the monitoring camera whenreceiving an operation on a predetermined icon displayed on thedisplay/input unit in a state in which the image data sent from themonitoring camera is displayed on the display/input unit, and whereinthe master device transmits the request signal for starting a call fromthe mobile phone terminal, to the monitoring camera.
 2. The monitoringsystem of claim 1, wherein, in a case where a volume suitable for ahands-free call is set, when an operation on the predetermined icon isreceived, the mobile phone terminal is switched to a hands-free callmode, and wherein the mobile phone terminal and the monitoring cameraenter a voice call state.
 3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,in a case where a volume suitable for a handset call is set, when anoperation on the predetermined icon is received, the mobile phoneterminal is switched to a handset call mode, and wherein the mobilephone terminal and the outdoor monitoring camera enter a voice callstate.
 4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is ahuman sensor which is integrally formed with the monitoring camera. 5.The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone terminalincludes mode switching means for changing a setting so that a volumesuitable for a hands-free call or a volume suitable for a handset callis obtained.
 6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the masterdevice transmits the request signal for starting a call from the mobilephone terminal, to the monitoring camera so that a call is performedbetween the monitoring camera and the mobile phone terminal, and whereinthe mobile phone terminal changes a volume of a microphone and a speakerof the monitoring camera when a predetermined operation is performed onthe display/input unit.
 7. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein, ina case where a volume suitable for a handset call is set, when anoperation on the predetermined icon is received, the mobile phoneterminal is switched to a handset call mode, and wherein the mobilephone terminal and the outdoor monitoring camera enter a voice callstate.